Review Detail

Love, Panda by Elaine Su is a heartwarming picture book told in letters from a stuffed panda to her owner, Benny. Having been left behind in the nursery, a place she finds stinky and wet, Panda anxiously wonders when she will be rescued. Her letters are dramatic, funny, and become increasingly desperate as the story progresses.

What I Liked: The letter format cleverly tells the story from the stuffed animal’s perspective. Panda does not hold back on her opinions. She does not like being in the baby’s room, where things are loud, unpredictable, and filled with drool. As time passes and she is still stuck with the baby, she changes her attitude and begrudgingly sees the positives in this new situation. Charlene Chua’s artwork is incredibly expressive. Young readers can easily pick up on Panda’s emotions visually, which deepens their understanding of the narrative. There are many teachable moments in the book that address complex feelings like sibling jealousy and displacement—whether applied to a human child or a favorite stuffy.

Love, Panda is a delightful five-star picture book that navigates childhood transitions with a humorous twist.